- 05:17 AM
- 11/15/25
I have the Amazon streaming package that lets you see the arena instead of commercials and am watching more regular season games than before. I kinda took Luka for granted before the playoffs.
As fun as Luka's on-court play can be, I miss watching him goof around with trick shots during the warm-up lines via the arena view on League Pass just as much. *sigh*
I told myself I was going to quit the team after Nico destroyed it.
But even if they didn't land Cooper Flagg I probably would have kept following them because the disaster was so interesting.
I've been putting off any definition of my Mavs fandom and I still really don't know where it's going to land. I guess that's one advantage of living out of market - you at least get to avoid the whole "go to the game or no" conundrum.
But as much as I enjoyed the Rangers WS win, it also solidified the fact that my personal sports fandom peaked with the 2011 Mavs run and anything else is going to pale in comparison. It was perfect, 10/10, no notes, thank you sports deities for that. And that's okay! It's honestly kind of great! There's a ton of folks, maybe the majority even, who are lifelong diehard fans of a team that never get to experience that feeling, I'm not going to complain that I'll never get to experience it the same way again (publicly, anyways). I'm an "old habits die hard" kind of person and loyal to a fault and keep watching the games, but even if I were to reclaim full MFFLdom, it won't ever be the same. It can't.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:55 PM on November 11, 2025
Extend the timeline by six months and you can add a trip to the Finals into the chaoscoaster. The whiplash is real.
It's still going to be a while (I hope, anyways) until anyone challenges the City of Oakland for the title of Screwed-Over Sports Fans, though. It won't be easy and I have basically zero faith in the ownership to do it properly, but this is at least theoretically recoverable.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:37 PM on November 11, 2025
That game went perfectly: the Mavs blew a big lead in the 4th but 18 year-old Coop looked composed and confident and then the AAC emptied out to chants of "Fire Nico".
And now they are!
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:15 AM on November 11, 2025
My picks:
Colts by 9 (lock)
Giants by 6
Bills by 15 (lock)
Vikings by 7
Browns by 4
Buccaneers by 8
Panthers by 8 (lock)
Jaguars by 4
Seahawks by 12 (lock)
Rams by 6
Lions by 15 (lock)
Chargers by 10
Eagles by 6
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:20 PM on November 07, 2025
My picks:
Knicks by 9 (slam dunk)
Spurs by 6
Spurs by 5
Nuggets by 8
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:43 PM on November 05, 2025
My picks:
Dolphins by 3
Bengals by 7
Lions by 10 (lock)
Packers by 8 (lock)
Chargers by 13 (lock)
Patriots by 9 (lock)
Giants by 6
Colts by 10 (lock)
Broncos by 8
Raiders by 3
Rams by 13 (lock)
Chiefs by 7
Seahawks by 14 (lock)
Cowboys by 6
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:42 AM on October 30, 2025
Speaking of Turnstile and recent releases, give the Citric Dummies' "Split With Turnstile" a listen next time you feel like putting your brain in a Punk n' Roll blender for twenty minutes.
Turnstile themselves are in no way involved (as far as I can tell), but I've been listening to it at least once a day since it came out. It's great.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:45 PM on October 29, 2025
My picks:
Cavaliers by 9
Timberwolves by 3
76ers by 8 (slam dunk)
Grizzlies by 11 (slam dunk)
Sure hope everyone is excited for the Luka and Lebron-less Lakers vs. the Ant-Less Timberwolves.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:40 PM on October 29, 2025
That Wednesday album is really fun, NoMich. It falls during a very busy time workwise, but I'm hoping to make their StL show this Spring.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:53 PM on October 28, 2025
My picks:
Chargers by 4
Falcons by 8
Bengals by 6
Patriots by 9 (lock)
Eagles by 7
Bills by 9
Bears by 4
49ers by 9
Buccaneers by 14 (lock)
Broncos by 8
Colts by 24 (lock)
Packers by 5
Chiefs by 17 (lock)
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:49 PM on October 23, 2025
My picks:
Thunder by 9
Warriors by 7
Cavaliers by 6
Mavericks by 7
Thunder by 16 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 6
Knicks by 11 (slam dunk)
Timberwolves by 9
Pistons by 8
Timberwolves by 6
I'M VERY GLAD THE NBA IS BACK!!!
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:41 PM on October 21, 2025
I think skipping them the same as the NBATV games makes sense.
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:00 PM on October 20, 2025
Fire the coach -- Okie State still awful (and likely to be for a little while)
posted by Ufez Jones at 08:10 PM on October 19, 2025
Revised picks:
Bears by 6
Browns by 3
Patriots by 6
Chiefs by 17 (lock)
Eagles by 8
Jets by 4
Broncos by 13 (lock)
Colts by 5
Cowboys by 6
Packers by 6
49ers by 3
Buccaneers by 3
Seahawks by 10
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:48 AM on October 19, 2025
Good Lord, that's impressive.
As easy as it is to get into Busch these days it's a bit shameful I haven't seen Shohei live. I'm gonna have to make a point to catch the Dodgers when they swing through town next year.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:21 PM on October 18, 2025
If nothing else, I learned my lesson from blowing locks on two stupid consecutive Thursday games. Leaves a bitter taste in your mouth for a couple of days until the rest of the league starts.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:03 PM on October 17, 2025
My picks:
Steelers by 8
posted by Ufez Jones at 08:01 PM on October 16, 2025
The answer the question "Did SpoFi collectively learn anything from the Week 5 fiasco?" appears to be a resounding "lol, nah".
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:21 PM on October 10, 2025
My picks:
Eagles by 10 (lock)
Broncos by 13 (lock)
Colts by 13 (lock)
Chargers by 9
Patriots by 5
Steelers by 8
Cowboys by 11
Jaguars by 6
Rams by 9
Raiders by 4
Packers by 9
Buccaneers by 7
Lions by 4
Bills by 14
Commanders by 9
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:23 PM on October 09, 2025
Lots and lots of blown locks in the Pick 'Em this week, myself included.
I feel kinda sheepish admitting it because of reasons, but I'm finding myself pretty caught up in Baker Mayfield's season. I'm not going to go so far as to say I'm *rooting* for the Bucs (yet), but he's become must-watch football every weekend.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:30 PM on October 07, 2025
Having watched the Oilers eliminate the Stars each of the past two seasons, barf.
Great for Edmonton and their fans, though.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:39 PM on October 06, 2025
My picks:
Rams by 14 (lock)
Vikings by 10 (lock)
Colts by 17 (lock)
Giants by 12
Cowboys by 7
Eagles by 13 (lock)
Dolphins by 6
Ravens by 7
Cardinals by 10 (lock)
Buccaneers by 3
Lions by 19 (lock)
Chargers by 4
Bills by 21 (lock)
Chiefs by 17 (lock)
Is Tampa Bay at Seattle the tastiest match-up this week? Give yourself an extra cookie tonight if you had that one on your preseason predictions.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:58 PM on October 02, 2025
Revised picks:
Chargers by 9
Texans by 6
Falcons by 7
Bills by 15 (lock)
Buccaneers by 4
Lions by 19 (lock)
Panthers by 3
Rams by 6
49ers by 6
Ravens by 6
Raiders by 10
Packers by 14 (lock)
Jets by 4
Broncos by 9 (lock)
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:13 AM on September 28, 2025
September 25, 2000, at the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Vince Carter leapfrogs 7'2" Frederic Weis and unleashes the Dunk of Death. (YouTube)
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:17 PM on September 25, 2025
My picks:
Cardinals by 6
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:00 PM on September 25, 2025
My picks:
Bills by 17 (lock)
Packers by 14 (lock)
Colts by 10
Bengals by 4
Steelers by 5
Eagles by 9
Buccaneers by 13 (lock)
Commanders by 7
Falcons by 8
Texans by 6
Chargers by 4
Seahawks by 7
Cowboys by 6
Cardinals by 7
Chiefs by 10
Ravens by 6
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:22 PM on September 17, 2025
Revised picks:
Bengals by 6
Cowboys by 11 (lock)
Lions by 14 (lock)
Rams by 7
Dolphins by 8
49ers by 9
Bills by 11 (lock)
Steelers by 9
Ravens by 19 (lock)
Broncos by 4
Cardinals by 8
Eagles by 6
Vikings by 3
Texans by 6
Chargers by 9
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:00 AM on September 14, 2025
My picks:
Commanders by 4
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:26 PM on September 11, 2025
I can only imagine how many fights broke out within the groups of Bills fans who left early. Sitting there in their car listening to the radio call, just getting sick to their stomachs that they made the wrong decision.
Incredible game.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:07 AM on September 08, 2025
My picks:
Eagles by 19 (lock)
Chargers by 4
Falcons by 6
Bengals by 9 (lock)
Colts by 4
Patriots by 3
Cardinals by 8 (lock)
Jets by 3
Commanders by 14 (lock)
Jaguars by 5
Broncos by 11 (lock)
Seahawks by 3
Lions by 6
Texans by 7
Bills by 3
Vikings by 6
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:42 PM on September 03, 2025
Irsay bought the Colts in '97. In the time since then, they've appeared in 2 Super Bowls (winning one) and 4 AFC Championship Games (winning two, losing two to Tom Brady).
The Cowboys in that same time frame: N/A
My friends that are lifelong Cowboys are pushing 50 and were in high school during the Triplets' run. Nobody under the age of 40 has any meaningful memories of successful Cowboys football. Nobody under the age of 30 was even alive at the time.
Jerry runs a very successful business, and they're admittedly entertaining to gawk at, but good lord he's awful at football.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:18 PM on August 29, 2025
"F you Dallas" - Owners of Dallas Professional Sports Teams
posted by Ufez Jones at 08:03 PM on August 28, 2025
Italian sports photographer Ray Giubilo caught an amazing shot of Jasmine Paolini at the US Open yesterday:
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:21 PM on August 27, 2025
My guess is probably not, but does Wade discuss the legendary 107-beer flight?
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:17 PM on August 26, 2025
This is one of those things we'll probably never really know, but I'm curious if the drafting and promising Summer League performance of Yang Hansen played any role in the negotiations.
posted by Ufez Jones at 08:21 PM on August 13, 2025
Paul doesn't do the reputation of the middle-aged pothead scene any favors.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:53 PM on July 05, 2025
Wemby's been working on his long-range game this Summer, seems to be working. Sheesh.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:40 AM on June 30, 2025
Answering my own question: looks like 2009 was the last time there wasn't a UK player drafted in the first round.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:09 PM on June 26, 2025
I found it somewhat interesting that not only were there no Kentucky Wildcats taken in the first round, I don't recall even hearing the word "Kentucky" spoken last night.
They had two in the top ten last year, so maybe it's just a one-off thing related to the coaching transition, but that has to be a pretty rare occurrence.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:49 PM on June 26, 2025
Oh, even without Coop the Mavs would still be in a much better position than quite a few other teams are in right now. Any grousing from fans should be firmly directed at ownership/management, which is a whole different thing entirely, and I don't know that the current group will ever (or should ever) regain the level of trust they had just six months ago.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:29 PM on June 25, 2025
Also, as a kid that was in middle school in Tulsa during the peak of Jordan mania, it's *suuuuuper* weird that the Larry O'Brien rightfully belongs to Oklahoma for the next year.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:36 PM on June 23, 2025
A disturbing trend via r/nba: In the 33-year period from 1990-2023, 45 NBA players suffered torn achilles injuries, a rate of 1.36 per season.
This playoffs saw Hali, Tatum, and Dame Lillard.
The regular season included Dejounte Murray, Isaiah Jackson, Dru Smith, and James Wiseman
There was also one (Da'Ron Holmes) during Summer League.
Any talk of Asterisks is silly and can be rightfully ignored, but the What-Ifs will echo for quite a while, I'm sure.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:33 PM on June 23, 2025
I can't watch Holmgren any more. He doesn't want to be there. He was strictly an onlooker last night. If he doesn't show up on Sunday, OKC is going to have to figure something out.
He gets bodied by more physical big men and it has a tendency to take him out of the game. I'm honestly not sure there's a solution, either. When he's hitting his threes he's still a very valuable player, but if nothing else, this run has probably made next Summer's inevitable J-Dub vs. Chet decision much easier.
I'm *really* looking forward to Sunday. It should be a fun chess match.
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:19 PM on June 20, 2025
Rockies sitting around going "Hey! What the hell, man?"
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:24 PM on June 16, 2025
No, yeah, I'm with you and all, it'd just be a little easier if it weren't the team the Stars had just lost to in the conference finals for the second year in a row.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:00 PM on June 06, 2025
Stanley Cup Finals Game 1: Banger of a game, 90 seconds of 4 on 3!, ends late in OT
NBA Finals Game 1: Fun, fast-paced game, incredible late comeback, winning shot hit with 3.0 seconds left
Neutral fans are feasting this June.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:51 PM on June 06, 2025
That game had everything except dancing horses and a chainsaw juggler.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:12 PM on June 05, 2025
Oh wow, I don't think I ever knew that. Thanks, NoMich!
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:11 AM on May 22, 2025
Question for the hockey experts: If a player commits a penalty and the opponent scores on the ensuing Power Play, does their personal +/- take a ding even though they weren't on the ice?
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:49 PM on May 21, 2025
My picks:
Thunder in 7
Knicks in 7
Top point scorer: Jalen Brunson
Top rebounder: Rudy Gobert
Most points per game: Knicks
Least opponent points per game: Thunder
rcade, I didn't get my Jokic Rebounder Prop from the 2nd round. I'm still well in last, just not by as much.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:10 PM on May 20, 2025
Your friends weren't lying, NoMich. That was fuuuun.
I do wish Weedeater had stuck on for this leg of the tour, but what'cha gonna do?
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:12 PM on May 19, 2025
I'll be seeing The Melvins and Napalm Death tonight but am very much looking forward to the Thunder and Nuggets finale.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:10 PM on May 18, 2025
To his credit he squeezed an entire dynasty's worth of celebration into that one opportunity.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:06 PM on May 16, 2025
Oh, this isn't the first place I've seen that (or KD) brought up, NoMich, and it's fitting start to batshit hypothetical season.
I'll admit I haven't watched Flagg play a ton in-game (maybe a couple of halves of March Madness games, but that's about it), but his highlight reels are pretty damn impressive.
Given recent history and turnover in the organization I do worry a bit about the Mavs developing him properly, but at the very least there are a bunch solid vets* on the team (and coaching staff) that should be able to help him find his lane.
*I'm not downplaying Kyrie's past or anything, but he's been an exceptional Maverick and spends a *lot* of time working with the young guys.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:07 PM on May 14, 2025
Mainly: salary. Assuming Kyrie opts-in this Summer, they'll have ~$115million tied up in AD, Kai, and Klay alone. Adding a Supermax Salary would put them *deep* into luxury tax territory.
I'm also not sure that Giannis and AD would work well together on the court, especially offensively. They're basically the same player.
I would rather have Giannis than AD for a number of reasons, but 1) that would require a third team and I don't think there's a huge market out there for AD 2) Not at the expense of Kupp's potential.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:40 PM on May 13, 2025
Yeah, they won't be favorites to do so, but assuming they keep that pick and draft someone that actually sees some playing time, the Spurs have a non-zero chance at an unprecedented third consecutive Rookie of the Year.
Ngl, I'm pretty glad they didn't wind up with the first.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:37 PM on May 13, 2025
Downtown Dallas tourists in the near future will be hassled by peddlers offering "Souvenir Conspiracy Newspapers" about this whole ordeal. It's equal parts hilarious and maddening but more than anything just so very, very silly and I feel no shame at all that my reaction was to laugh like Robert DeNiro in "Cape Fear".
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:46 AM on May 13, 2025
Well that certainly was an exciting night of basketball. Whew!
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:45 PM on May 06, 2025
NBA Pickem Week 4: Fired Nico
My picks:
Knicks by 9 (slam dunk)
Thunder by 7
Knicks by 5
Spurs by 13 (slam dunk)